Workforce Development & Economic Policy

Governors are working to expand economic opportunity and advance the nation’s global competitiveness by developing the skilled workforce and economic environment required for individuals, businesses and communities to thrive.

As the chief executive officers of their states, Governors set strategic priorities to align workforce and economic development activities to build a shared vision of societal and economic well-being. The NGA Workforce Development & Economic Policy program supports Governors and their appointees in developing and executing on these priorities.

Featured Initiatives

NGA Workforce Development Technical Assistance Program

NGA provides advisors and other Governor-appointed state workforce system leaders with technical assistance on a broad range of workforce development policy issues through policy memoranda; in-state site visits and presentations, and facilitated connections with subject matter experts. The team also holds biannual convenings and monthly briefings and issues a weekly newsletter.

Workforce Strategic Planning Collaborative

The NGA Center’s joint project with the U.S. Department of Labor supports Governors and their advisors as they develop and implement their federally required four-year strategic plans for workforce development. Technical assistance offerings include an emphasis on implementation of federal investments that passed during the 117^th Congress, namely the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act.

NGA Economic Policy Advisors and Economic Policy Technical Assistance

NGA provides Governor-appointed state economic development leaders and advisors with highly responsive and customized best practice research, strategic planning facilitation, timely information from federal partners and subject matter experts, and other support on a broad range of economic policy priorities. This includes an upcoming virtual event series as well as a bi-weekly newsletter.

Meet The Team

Jack Porter, Program Director
Sally Rood, Senior Policy Analyst
Jordan Morang, Senior Policy Analyst
Sophia Yager, Senior Policy Analyst
Eric Aboodi, Policy Coordinator

Focus Areas

Apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship
Sector-focused workforce and economic development strategies
Workforce development financing, governance, and innovation
Outdoor recreation & economic development
Service-to-career pathways and public sector employment
IIJA, CHIPS and IRA implementation Future of work, digital transformation and digital skills
Disability inclusive workforce policy

Services Available

Strategic planning facilitation and best practice guidance on workforce and economic development topics or initiatives
Strategic guidance, feedback and meeting facilitation services for Governor-appointed state workforce development boards
Convenings for workforce and economic development advisors and state leaders on emerging issues
Regular newsletters for state workforce and economic development leaders
Customized research briefs and best practice presentations upon request

Workforce Development Library

NGA Announces Expansion of Workforce Innovation Network, New Collaborative to Support Governors and States

The National Governors Association (NGA) announced the expansion of the NGA Workforce Innovation Network to include more than 20 new philanthropic supporters, subject matter experts, practitioners and industry leaders to ...

Defining Job Quality for Reemployment and Recovery

The NGA Workforce Innovation Network will continue to support Governors in building capacity for innovation as they work in tandem with partners to re-engage citizens in the workforce, improve economic ...

Letter on Principles for Workforce Development Improvement

Now is the time to meaningfully update and reshape federal workforce programs to address the present and future of work. The Honorable Patty MurrayChairCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsU.S ...

Governors’ Principles to Renew the Federal Workforce System

Key principles for redesigning the federal workforce development system to create jobs, uplift workers, and provide employers with the tools they need to further skills development. (Download) Elevating Governor and ...

Governors Discussion With Labor Secretary Marty Walsh

Community Renewal Task Force co-chairs U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan and Missouri Governor Mike Parson convened a discussion with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh at NGA's Virtual Summer Meeting, July ...

NGA 2021 Summer Meeting

On July 8, 2021 NGA held its Summer Meeting, in a virtual format, here are videos from the sessions. Meeting Playlist Individual Sessions Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Address NGA Task Force ...

Defining Job Quality for Reemployment and Recovery: State Action Planning Template

This action planning template focuses on actions that state leaders can take to connect jobseekers with high-quality employment and place a greater emphasis on job quality via resource allocation, program ...

Amid difficulty, Missouri finds opportunity

Our state will do everything in its power to help displaced Missourians return to work and equip them for the accelerating pace of change ahead. by Governor Mike Parson Despite ...

Ensuring Equitable Access to and Success in Work-Based Learning: A Rhode Island Case Study

Rhode Island’s intentional approach to closing access and attainment gaps in its work-based learning programs is a model that state policymakers can apply to their own education and workforce programs ...

Economic Policy Library

Information and Guidance on Supporting On-demand Workers through the COVID-19 Crisis

Introduction This memo provides governors and state officials with an overview of the key issues related to on-demand workers during the COVID-19 crisis. For the purposes of this memo, “on-demand ...

With Millions of Jobs at Stake, State and Local Government Associations Call on Congress to Approve Aid

With millions of jobs and the economic recovery at stake, the seven leading organizations representing state, territorial and local governments called on Congress to approve an aid package that would ...

Governors Call on Congress to Act on State Fiscal Relief

‘This Is Not a Red State and Blue State Crisis’ National Governors Association Chair Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and NGA Vice Chair New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued the following ...

Access and Functional Needs Considerations for COVID-19 Response and Recovery Planning

The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges for the access and functional needs (AFN) of individuals with temporary or permanent challenges accessing or receiving medical care, support services and/or accommodations before, ...

State Associations Release Roadmap to Recovery from COVID-19

Roadmap Outlines 10 Key Steps for Governors to Protect the Public’s Health While Preparing to Reopen the Economy The National Governors Association (NGA) and Association of State and Territorial Health ...

Roadmap to Recovery

A Public Health Guide for Governors (View/Download) Executive Summary The global pandemic of COVID-19 poses an unprecedented challenge to the health and well-being of every state and territory across the ...

Governors’ Letter Regarding COVID-19 Aid Request

The Honorable Mitch McConnellMajority Leader, United States SenateU.S. Capitol Building, Room S-230Washington, DC 20510The Honorable Chuck SchumerMinority Leader, United States SenateU.S. Capitol Building, Room S-224Washington, DC 20510The Honorable Nancy PelosiSpeaker ...

State and Local Government Associations Urge ‘Robust, Flexible’ Federal Relief During Pandemic

The seven leading organizations representing state and local governments at the federal level called on Congress to “immediately provide robust, flexible relief” to state, territorial and local governments as part ...

Operational Coordination for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

As the COVID-19 pandemic grows in scale and complexity, so does the number of state, federal, local, nonprofit, and private assets deployed to assist in the response. Governors play an ...